EDITORIAL : THE JAKARTA POST, INDONESIA

 

 

The new ‘priyayis’

May 20 is one of those historical turning points whose significance is more worthy as a sentiment rather than an event. Unlike National Heroes Day, which marks the battle of Surabaya, or Independence Day itself, the value of National Awakening Day is regenerative without being hinged to a particular location or a circumstantial stout act of courage.
Ironically, that is also why National Awakening Day is overlooked with little reverence by generations who have only known it as a page in history books to be memorized. The date was taken to symbolize the spirit of nationhood by young mavericks of the time.
Wahidin Soedirohoesodo was among those who published commentaries in newspapers lamenting the fate of young Indonesians. He then prodded students from across the country like Sutomo, Ki Hajar Dewantara, Douwes Dekker, Cipto Mangunkusumo, M. Goenawan Mangoenkoesoemo, Saroso, R. Kamargo and MM. Mangoenhoesodo to form a group which would help uplift the fate of their fellow indigenous man disenfranchised by the colonial system.
Hence the organization Boedi Oetomo was born on May 20, 1908. One misconception is that while it did stoke the fires of nationalist sentiment and was rightly regarded as the genesis of the independence movement, Boedi Oetomo was not, per say, established to fight colonialism, declare war on the Dutch or create insurgencies.
Boedi Oetomo’s statutes sought equality through development of education, agriculture, culture and science.
Perhaps this backdrop is why National Awakening Day is so diminutive in the minds of our young. It was not a heroic event riddled with the flash of banners and bullets. It was a dawn where the heroes were teachers and intellectuals, not action figures. The 1908 generation comprised the most humble, bravest and truest heroes. For them it was not about putting people down, but uplifting a nation.
Their example is applicable to any generation. Not least the young middle class of 2011.
We are encouraged to witness many young corporate executives in all walks of life rekindle this spirit of activism, voluntarism and altruism by sparing hours of their busy schedule to give back to the community. Whether it is volunteering in charity organizations or taking part in the community. This is the National Awakening spirit which imbued those generations.

But there is also a growing group of the modern well-educated, well-spoken and well-to-do Indonesians who disenfranchise themselves from all the ills that the country represents. The “blah generation” whose ultimate solution to the nation’s problems is just to disconnect from it altogether by engaging in an urban living detached from society’s shortcomings while seeking opportunities abroad for themselves.
The attitude of mind that “this is your problem” and the intent to “find a better place elsewhere”. A culture of blaming everything around them, instead of trying to start good within. One cannot blame these people. The problems of the nation are an exasperating frenzy, where felony and egoism is more profitable than honesty and dignity. And neither can we blame those searching for better high-income benefits, even perhaps outside Indonesia. They have earned the silver spoon fed to them.
But herein is the example of the 1908 generation. They too were almost exclusively of the priyayi (privileged) class. They had everything to lose and nothing to gain by succumbing to their conscience.
They did it because of a calling toward others, a sense of duty from the privileges bestowed which to them were a responsibility rather than a luxury. A conviction of not running away to make life good for themselves, but engaging in simple steps to make this nation better for others.
It is time to rekindle their spirit and awaken ourselves to each other, again.